“Everything has its limit — iron ore cannot be educated into gold.” — Mark Twain

This past election has produced some of the most astonishing results. At Missouri State University, the counseling center set up a post-election self-care no phone zone space with calm jars, coloring pages and sensory fidgets.

At Georgetown University, a self-care suite for students offered students the chance to play with Legos, doodle with crayons and munch on milk and cookies in recognition of these stressful times.

At Harvard, classes ranging from applied math to the study of ancient Greece were called off. And, a University of Oregon staffer called on supporters of former President Donald Trump to kill themselves in a video posted to social media.

I just happened to be scheduled to substitute teach at a local elementary school on the day after the election. And, the lesson plan for the day was: reading, writing, physical education and learning about why leaves turn colors in autumn.

Of course there were snacks on the agenda, but there was no “safe zone” planned for the day. And none of the students told me of any post-election anxiety. I have a feeling these kids will endure the trauma of a Trump administration.

As for today’s college students, I find it hard to believe they are treated more like kindergarteners than as the nation’s future leaders. It’s time the nation’s college and university professors teach their students common sense, and not the power of Legos, crayons and milk and cookies.

MATT JANES

Jeffers Garden